Chairman showcases Mendip businesses

6 November 2018

Mayors, Chairs and Councillors from Mendip District Council and neighbouring authorities took time to visit a number of Mendip based businesses.

At the invitation of Mendip District Council's Chairman, Cllr Dick Skidmore and his wife Jean the group visited the Showering Cider Mill, Framptons and Kilver Court, meeting with representatives from the organisations.

Cllr Dick Skidmore was joined by; Cllr Jeannette Marsh from Mendip District Council and Shepton Mallet Town Council, Cllr Bryan Beha Vice Chairman of Mendip District Council, Denise Abbott Mayor of Glastonbury, Peter Clayton Vice Chair of Somerset County Council, Catherine Herbert Mayor of Taunton Deane Borough Council and Rick Ackroyd Mayor of Frome Town Council.

First stop for the day was Framptons in Shepton Mallet, where the group met with Will Martin, Business Development Director and Simon Hayward, Managing Director.

Following a tour of the site which now employs 270 staff the group learnt about the products packed on site from smoothies to birch water. Starting out as an egg products factory the plant still produces 200 tonnes of egg products per week alongside their contract packing business.

Following on from Framptons the group headed over to the Showerings Cider Mill to learn about the 650 tonnes of apples that are pressed per day at the current time. The group had a talk and tour of the site to learn more about the long history of the cider company that produces Brothers Cider among other products.

The final stop of the day was a short stroll across the road to the Showerings Gardens at Kilver Court where the group were met by Mulberry founder and Kilver Court owner Roger Saul and his son Freddie.

Cllr Dick Skidmore, Mendip District Council, Chairman, said; "It was great to be able to continue the tour of businesses in Mendip along with fellow councillors. It's a great opportunity to showcase some of the fantastic businesses we have based in Mendip.

"Since becoming Chair of Mendip District Council I have been keen to use my time in the role, promoting what a great place Mendip is to live and work and what great businesses we have in our rural district."

For more information about Mendip District Council and the role of chairman, please visit www.mendip.gov.uk